What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics?
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics (the Torch Run) is the largest grassroots fundraising program benefiting Special Olympics throughout the world. Internationally, law enforcement agencies raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

History
The Torch Run program began in 1981, when Wichita, Kansas Chief of Police Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The idea of the Law Enforcement Torch Run program was to provide local law enforcement officers with opportunities to volunteer with Special Olympics in communities where the officers lived and worked. In 1984, the International Association of Chiefs of Police endorsed Special Olympics as its official charity through the Torch Run program. With the IACP's enthusiastic support and leadership, the Torch Run soon involved all facets of the law enforcement community. Today, all 50 states and more than 35 countries have Torch Run programs.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is an international series of torch relays run by officers leading up to each state's or nation's Summer Games. This exciting event is a fundraising effort in which law enforcement officers raise money in conjunction with their national, state or local Special Olympics program.

Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run
In Indiana, the first Law Enforcement Torch Run event was organized in 1987. Since then, the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run program has continued to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Indiana through its sponsorship of various special events and activities. The highlight of the Torch Run program's activity each year is the running of the torch, when law enforcement officers from around the state carry the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies site at the Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers are working with the Torch Run program every day. These men and women donate time, raise money, run, bike or take a cold winter plunge to benefit Special Olympics athletes throughout the year. They ride motorcycles, sell Harley-Davidson® raffle tickets and even play tug-of-war with a 145,000 lb. Boeing 727 airplane—all with other law enforcement officers, and all with the same goal: to raise money and awareness for the nearly 10,000 children and adults who participate in Special Olympics Indiana's sports programs throughout the year.